We have seen some big changes in management already this year in the English Premier League. With Pochettino being dismissed at Tottenham, being replaced by Mourinho. Then over the last day, Unai Emery was sacked from his post at Arsenal. With those big names being let go from their respective clubs, is Ole Gunner Solskjear the next to go?
Aston Villa will travel to Manchester United’s Old Trafford on Saturday for a tantalising matchup between two teams in the heat of the mid-table. Aston Villa coming off an impressive win against Newcastle 2-0. Whilst Manchester United only managed a draw against fellow promoted newsboys in Sheffield United, 3-3. After being 2-0 down.
Another worry for United fans, who are growing tired of these mediocre performances is the fact they lost 2-1 away from home to Astana in the Europa League midweek. Who are top of the Kazakhstan league.
Solsjkaer is hopeful that at least one of his two star players in Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba could make appearances for United after they have both been out of the side through injury. Ole mentioned on the official website about McTominay, “We hope Scotty will be back as soon as possible, but he’s also been back home and I’ve not seen him,”. Although for Pogba, it seems that he won’t be facing Villa as he will miss his 13th straight match.
Villa have rewarded Dean Smith with his steady start to life in the Premier League with a new four-year contract. The Villa boyhood fan would surely be rapt with this outcome and has the full backing of everyone at the club.
It is expected that the away side will name an unchanged starting eleven that beat Newcastle United at home. The problem for Villa this weekend will be where do the goals come from. Do they have enough avenues? Wesley has hit a mere four goals and missed a sitter against the Toon. Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz are all goal-scoring midfielders when they get the chance. Hopefully, they will get that opportunity for Villa.
Anwar El Ghazi scored his third for the season against Newcastle proves to be a talented threat down the wing. Conor Hourihane is prolific from a set-piece. United will have to be careful with their fouls near the 18-year box.
Manchester United have a real threat in Marcus Rashford who has scored 10 goals and had three assists in his last eleven matches. Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa will have their defensive duties cut out for them. Luke Shaw looks like his will miss again for United, with the youthful Williams being preferred over the Englishman.
Jesse Lingard also scored his first goal since January 2019 against Astana midweek. Fans hoping that’s the spark that is needed to get back to his form of 2017.
In essence, both teams have queries surrounding them, but also demonstrate quite a few positives throughout their respective squads. These were reasons for why they both find themselves stuck in the mid-table scrap. Ole’s time at United is running low, a win would do wonders to release the heat around his collar at the moment. Mauricio Pochettino is one name that is waiting in the wings if he is dismissed.